Lear Corporation

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Alan A Boisvert

Paul S Severinski

Andrew Frank Pinkos

Joshua Forwerck

Raymond Ormachea

Don Hamilton

Michael Zink

An occupant classification system is provided based upon the use of an array of electrical switches arranged between a seat trim and a reactive surface. The switches produce selective outputs signals as an engaging surface makes contact with one or more of the switches when an occupant occupies the seat. The output signals are interpreted into a control signal to distinguish between occupants for controlling an inflatable restraint system. The occupant classification system also includes a control structure which defines a distance between the array of switches and the engaging surface that is greater than zero when the seat is unoccupied so that the switches are insensitive to the initial forces applied to the seat through the seat trim. The distance between one or more of the switches and the engaging surface decreases to zero when the occupant occupies the seat to produce the selective output signals.

Seat control structure for occupant classification systems

An installation device for installing a flexible sensor apparatus on a seating surface of a seat cushion includes an installation fixture having a saddle. The saddle includes a first face having a seating portion recess formed therein which generally conforms to the shape of the seating surface of the seat cushion. The first face further has at least one locating recess formed in the seating portion recess. The locating recess generally conforms to the shape of a portion of the flexible sensor apparatus. The saddle further has ports extending from the locating recess to a vacuum source, wherein a vacuum from the vacuum source retains the flexible sensor apparatus in the locating recess.

Installation device for installing a flexible sensor on a seat cushion

A vehicular seat assembly includes a flexible sensor apparatus mounted to a seat cushion. The flexible sensor apparatus includes a plurality of variable resistant flexible sensors attached to nonconductive flexible ribbons. Each flexible sensor generates a signal dependent on the degree of bending exhibited by a given flexible sensor for controlling the deployment of an air bag. An installation mat for installing the flexible sensor apparatus includes a carrier means attached to the flexible sensor apparatus. The carrier means includes locating means for locating the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion. An installation device for installing the flexible sensor apparatus includes a lid having a mounting means for detachably attaching the installation mat to the lid. The installation device also includes a locating means for locating the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion. A method for installing the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion includes the steps of providing a carrier means attached to the flexible sensor apparatus, aligning the carrier means with the seat cushion and attaching the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion. The carrier means may include one or more in combination of a trim cover, backing sheet, carrier sheet and lid.

Vehicular seat assembly having a flexible air bag suppression sensor

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Alan A Boisvert